Phoenix family say they were duped after purchasing a $26,000 toy hauler

A Phoenix family say they are frustrated after making a pricey purchase for a toy hauler and then finding out it had flood damage and a salvage title. Now they say they are stuck with something they can’t use.

"We like to take our kids to the dunes, we go camping a lot up north."

Kristie Lee and her family love spending their free time in the outdoors.

“We were looking for a trailer that we could bring all of our stuff with our kids and go out to the dunes and have family trips and finally found one that fitted our needs.”

Back in October, they bought an RV they found it advertised online by a business in California, called Class A Motorhome Rentals and wound up buying it for $26,000.

According to Lee, Class A Motorhome Rentals provided them what appeared to be a clean title. However, when they drove the trailer back to Arizona and tried to register it with Department of Transportation, they discovered a big problem.

“When we went to have the title changed a couple of days later, they told us it was flood damaged and the salvaged title.”

The family was shocked and contacted the president of Class A Motorhome Rentals, who said he was just as surprised as the Lee family was to learn the trailer had a salvage title.

According to the Lee family, Class A Motorhome Rentals said it was the middle man and it would have to pursue the person who duped them as well.

“We didn't understand why we would have to go after anyone. Just fix it or buy it back.”

According to a letter written in November from Class A Motorhome Rentals to the Arizona Attorney General's Office, the business said it would agree to buy back the trailer and return all of their money.

“It's a $26,000 weight on my shoulders right now,” said Lee.

However, since that letter was written four months ago, Class A Motorhome Rentals has had a change of heart and has reneged on buying the trailer back.When 3 On Your Side contacted Class A Motorhome Rentals as to why, the president explained that the family took too much time accepting his offer, saying the Lee family first counter-offered indicating they wanted to keep the damaged trailer if the RV company returned $13,000.

That counter-offer was rejected and now, months later, Class A Motorhome Rentals says it doesn't have the money to re-purchase the RV back.

The Arizona Attorney General's Office as well as the Arizona Department of Transportation tells 3 On Your Side they are both involved. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office said:

"The Attorney General's Office recovered over $13 million dollars for Arizona consumers last year alone. In this case, the business owner responded to our office with an offer for a full refund for the consumer plus any additional expenses. While the consumer rejected the refund offer, we will continue to work with this consumer and the business to find an outcome satisfactory to the consumer."

For now, the Lees say they are stuck with a trailer that's worth a fraction of what they paid and just want it hauled away.

“We're sitting here watching all of our friends go and have fun and we can't go with them cause it's not in a condition to be used.”

3 On Your Side will air a follow-up report once a resolution is reached.

3 On Your Side

Colleen Libby wanted to improve the looks of her aging driveway. So, she said it was kind of ironic that a guy claiming to run an epoxy business showed up and said he could make her driveway look brand new for $2,500. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5)

It was last February when 3 On Your Side aired a news report about a Valley homeowner, but since that report, a licensed and legitimate contractor was watching and wanted to do something special for someone he's never met.

It was last February when 3 On Your Side aired a news report about a Valley homeowner, but since that report, a licensed and legitimate contractor was watching and wanted to do something special for someone he's never met.

Nearly two weeks after 16-year-old Amy Yu vanished with 45-year-old Kevin Esterly, the pair was found Saturday in Mexico and the man was arrested, authorities say. (Allentown Police Department)

Nearly two weeks after a 16-year-old Pennsylvania girl vanished with a 45-year-old man, the pair was found Saturday in Mexico and the man was arrested, authorities say. Amy Yu was "unharmed and in good health."

Nearly two weeks after a 16-year-old Pennsylvania girl vanished with a 45-year-old man, the pair was found Saturday in Mexico and the man was arrested, authorities say. Amy Yu was "unharmed and in good health."

She then went on to Arizona State University. She graduated summa cum laude from the University’s prestigious, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism with a degree in Journalism/Mass Communications with an emphasis in broadcasting.

LiAna started her news career with KTVK-TV as an intern. She loved it so much she never left! She has been with the station for fourteen years. Currently, she is the consumer investigative producer for Arizona’s top rated consumer segment, 3 On Your Side and is also a general assignment reporter. LiAna also reported for the station’s top rated high school sports show, ‘The Varsity Zone’ for five years.

In her free time LiAna enjoys cooking, watching movies, quading, and traveling. But her absolute favorite thing to do, is to hang out with her husband and beautiful daughters. She is a softball mom. She loves the beach and waterfalls! Her favorite team is the Arizona Cardinals and of course, the Sun Devils.

Life motto: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

This Sept. 24, 2017, photo provided by Michael Kass shows Yann Arnaud during a Cirque du Soleil performance in Toronto. Arnaud died early Sunday, March 18, 2018, after falling while performing during a show on Saturday in Tampa, Fla. (Michael Kass via AP)

A Cirque du Soleil performer died Saturday night after he fell during a performance in Tampa, Florida.

All this March, Arizona's Family takes a raw look at the opioid crisis: The addicts, the devastated and the controversial ways some are trying to help. It doesn't discriminate whom and when it kills. Watch for this original content on the crisis that is impacting Arizona and the nation -- all this March on 3TV and CBS 5. [Opioid crisis in Arizona]

All this March, Arizona's Family takes a raw look at the opioid crisis: The addicts, the devastated and the controversial ways some are trying to help. It doesn't discriminate whom and when it kills. Watch for this original content on the crisis that is impacting Arizona and the nation -- all this March on 3TV and CBS 5. [Opioid crisis in Arizona]

With more than 20 years of television experience, Gary has established himself as a leader in the industry when it comes to assisting viewers and resolving their consumer-related issues. His passion and enthusiasm have helped him earn an Emmy for Best Consumer Reporter from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He’s also garnered several Emmy nominations

He has negotiated resolutions with companies of all sizes, including some of the biggest corporations in the nation.

Gary has successfully recouped more than $1 million for viewers around the state, making 3 On Your Side one of the most popular segments on KTVK and the station's Web site.

He's best known for investigating and confronting unscrupulous contractors. In fact, many of his news reports have led to police investigations and jail time for those who were caught. Viewers, as well as the companies and people he investigates, regard him as consistently being thorough and fair.

Gary has been with KTVK-TV since 1997. Prior to his arrival in Phoenix, he worked for WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was as an anchor and reporter.

Gary is from Chicago, but launched his television career in Lubbock, Texas, after earning a broadcast journalism degree from Texas Tech University. Following his graduation, he was quickly hired by KLBK-TV in Lubbock, where he enterprised and broke numerous exclusive reports. His aggressive reporting in Texas helped garner him Best Reporter by the Associated Press.

Gary has been married since 1994 and is the proud father of two sons. When he's not helping viewers, Gary is busy catching up on his favorite college and professional football teams as well as cheering on his beloved Texas Tech Red Raiders.

An 8-year-old girl is in a medically-induced coma after suffering severe burns from a fire pit explosion in Phoenix. Neighbors are now rallying together to help raise money to help the family get through this rough time.